Standing order

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A standing order is a general order of indefinite duration. It remains in effect until modified or rescinded. Standing orders are most often issued by military commanders to their troops, or by bodies operating under parliamentary procedure (such as Robert's Rules of Order). Contrast with Direct order.

Standing orders are necessarily general and vague since the exact circumstances for execution occur in the future under unknown conditions. For example, in most military agencies there is a standing order for enlisted men to salute officers. The officers are required by the same law to return the salute to the enlisted person; however, the name of each enlisted man is not explicitly named in the order, nor is the name of each officer, nor is the exact time which the salute should occur (although circumstances may be, such as when the officer passes). Included with this standing order is that ALL military personnel enlisted and Office alike, MUST salute a wearer of the Congressional Medal of Honor first, even if the wearer of the CMOH is a private.

The neutrality of this section is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. This section has been tagged since February 2007.

There is a particular danger when police officers are permitted to execute standing orders against civilian populations, which the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution attempts to prevent by requiring

1. that all search or arrest warrants be specific (standing orders are necessarily general),
2. that all arrest procedures initiate with the "oath or affirmation" of a civilian making a complaint (standing orders are initiated by an agent of the government, like a military commander, or the President, Governor, Mayor, etc), and
3. that probable cause be shown to exist (probable cause is specific evidence linking the accused with the victim's injury -- impossible to predict with a general order)

The lack of these devices might indicate martial law or that a police state exists.

[edit] Eleven General Orders (U.S. Military)

It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article entitled Eleven General Orders (U.S. Military). (Discuss)

In the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, the Eleven General Orders of a Sentry are considering standing orders for watchstanding. The U.S. Navy version is as follows:

1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own.
5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.
6. To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the Commanding Officer, Command Duty Officer, Officer of the Deck, and Officers and Petty Officers of the Watch only.
7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
9. To call the Officer of the Deck in any case not covered by instructions.
10. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
11. To be especially watchful at night, and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority. See also General Orders for Sentries.